TAMPA, Fla. -- Sully received quite a Super ovation.
US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and the rest of the crew for Flight 1549 were honored before Sunday's Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals for helping rescue 150 passengers after an emergency landing in New York's Hudson River.
Sullenberger, praised last month as a hero for a skillful landing that saved lives after both the plane's engines were disabled following a collision with a flock of birds, was introduced to a standing ovation at Raymond James Stadium, along with co-pilot Jeffrey B. Skiles and flight attendants Doreen Walsh, Sheila Dail and Donna Dent.
All 155 passengers and crew members were rescued after the landing.
The NFL also honored Gen. David Petraeus, the head of U.S. Central Command, during a pregame ceremony. He was joined on the field by John Elway, Roger Craig and Lynn Swann -- stars of Super Bowls played 10, 20 and 30 years ago, respectively -- for the coin toss.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
